Beamforming using sparse antenna arrays

Abstract

The antenna array may be associated with forming discovery beams within the geographic area, and each discovery beam may be formed by a corresponding set of antennas of the antenna array and may cover a discovery area within the geographic area. A preamble transmitted from a terminal within the discovery area of ​​the discovery beam may be detected using the antenna array. Based on detecting the preamble using the discovery beam, it may be determined that the terminal is present within the corresponding discovery area. Based on determining the presence of the terminal, signals detected at a second set of antennas of the antenna array may be processed according to beam coefficients to obtain beam signals of a communication beam that includes a beam coverage area encompassing the location of the terminal. Each detected signal may include a respective component of a signal transmitted by the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Generally, the following relates to communication including beamforming using a sparse antenna array.

[0002] Communication devices can communicate with each other using a wired connection, a wireless (e.g., radio frequency (RF)) connection, or both. Wireless communication between devices can be performed using a wireless spectrum designated for a service provider, wireless technology, or both. In some examples, the amount of information that can be communicated via a wireless communication network is based on the amount of wireless spectrum designated for the service provider and the amount of frequency reuse within the area where the service is provided. Wireless communication (e.g., cellular communication, satellite communication, etc.) can use beamforming and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques for communication between devices to increase frequency reuse, but providing a high level of frequency reuse in some types of communication systems, such as satellite communication, presents challenges.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The antenna array is involved in forming a discovery beam within a geographical area, and each discovery beam is formed by a corresponding set of antennas in the antenna array, capable of covering a discovery area within the geographical area. A preamble transmitted from a terminal within the discovery area of ​​the discovery beam is detected using the antenna array. Based on the detection of the preamble using the discovery beam, the presence of a terminal in the corresponding discovery area can be determined. Based on the determination of the presence of a terminal, the signals detected by a second set of antennas in the antenna array are processed according to beam coefficients to obtain a beam signal of the communication beam, including the beam coverage area encompassing the terminal's location. Each detected signal may contain the respective components of the signal transmitted by the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0004] [Figure 1] An example of a satellite communications system that supports beamforming using a sparse antenna array is shown, as illustrated by the examples described herein. [Figure 2] An example of a communications network that supports beamforming using a sparse antenna array is shown, as illustrated by the examples described herein. [Figure 3] Examples of communication subsystems that support beamforming using sparse antenna arrays are shown herein. [Figure 4] Examples of communication subsystems that support beamforming using sparse antenna arrays are shown herein. [Figure 5] The examples described herein illustrate an example of a set of operations for beamforming using a sparse antenna array. [Figure 6] The examples described herein illustrate an example of a set of operations for beamforming using a sparse antenna array. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0005] A communication system (e.g., a satellite system) may include a device (e.g., a satellite) with multiple antennas. A communication system may use a device to support simultaneous communication by multiple terminals. In some examples, a communication system may use a device to support beamforming communication. Beamforming communication can be used to increase the utilization of communication resources, for example, by allowing the wireless spectrum to be reused in different areas of a geographical area. In some examples, beamforming techniques may use a multi-antenna device to form a set of spot beams that cover a geographical area (e.g., in a partially overlapping pattern).

[0006] Beamforming techniques can be used to increase spectral utilization, but the resolution of beamforming techniques can be limited, for example, based on the size of the antenna array. In some examples, the coverage area of ​​a spot beam depends on the size of the satellite system's antenna array, the frequency used by the satellite system, and the orbit used by the satellite system (e.g., geostationary Earth orbit). For a typical satellite payload (e.g., an array-fed reflector with reflectors ranging from 10 to 30 meters), the coverage area of ​​the spot beam formed on the Earth's surface by the satellite system can be relatively large (e.g., with a diameter of several hundred or several thousand kilometers). Therefore, the use of current beamforming techniques to increase the reuse of frequency resources (e.g., by using smaller spot beams) may be limited.

[0007] To increase beamforming resolution and support an increased number of users within a geographical area, the techniques described herein may utilize large sparse antenna arrays having antennas with varying element spacings across the antenna array. Current antenna arrays may be rigid and have consistent element spacings, and therefore, developing large antenna arrays using current techniques may be impractical. In some examples, large sparse antenna arrays may extend over large distances (e.g., greater than one kilometer) based on the use of flexible antenna arrays with varying element spacings. In some cases, the element spacing may change over time (e.g., due to antenna drift relative to each other). In some cases, the antennas of a large sparse antenna array may be grouped into sets of antennas (e.g., antenna sub-arrays), and each set of antennas can be used to form a beam (e.g., a discovery beam). Alternatively, antennas from multiple sets of a large sparse antenna array can be used to form one or more beams (e.g., one or more communication beams).

[0008] In some examples, a large sparse antenna array can be used to form a discovery beam within a geographic area (for example, in combination with each beam coefficient, each discovery beam may be formed by a corresponding set of antennas in the antenna array and may cover a discovery area within the geographic area). A preamble transmitted from a terminal within the discovery area of ​​the discovery beam can be detected using the antenna array. Based on detecting the preamble using the discovery beam, it can be determined that a terminal is present within the corresponding discovery area. Based on determining the presence of a terminal, the signal detected by a second set of antennas in the antenna array can be processed according to the beam coefficient to obtain a beam signal of the communication beam, including a beam coverage area encompassing the terminal's location. Each detected signal may include the respective components of the signal transmitted by the terminal.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an example of a satellite communications system 100 that supports beamforming using a sparse antenna array, according to examples described herein. The satellite communications system 100 may include a ground system 135, a terminal 120, and a satellite system 101. The ground system 135 may include a network of access nodes 140 configured to communicate with the satellite system 101. The access nodes 140 may be connected to access node transceivers 145 configured to process signals to be received from and transmitted through the corresponding access nodes 140. The access node transceivers 145 may also be configured to interface with the network 125 (e.g., the Internet) via a network device 130 (e.g., a network operations center, a satellite and gateway terminal command center, or other central processing center or device) that can provide an interface for communicating with the network 125.

[0010] Terminal 120 may include various devices configured to communicate signals with satellite 101, which may include fixed terminals (e.g., ground-based stationary terminals) or mobile terminals such as terminals on ships, aircraft, or ground vehicles. User terminal 120 may communicate data and information with access node terminal 140 via satellite 101. The data and information may be communicated to destination devices such as network device 130, or to any other devices or distributed servers associated with network 125.

[0011] The satellite system 101 may include a single satellite or a network of satellites deployed in space orbit (e.g., low Earth orbit, mid-Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, etc.). One or more satellites included in the satellite system 101 may have multiple antennas (e.g., one or more antenna arrays). In some examples, one or more satellites with multiple antennas may each include one or more antenna panels, each containing an array of evenly distributed antennas (sometimes called antenna elements). In some examples, a satellite may have an antenna array containing antennas that are unevenly distributed over a wide area. In some examples, the antennas may be connected to a central entity via wired or wireless links. Deploying antennas over a wide area may increase the aperture size of the satellite's antenna array compared to an antenna array containing uniformly distributed antennas (e.g., due to limitations associated with manufacturing and deploying a large antenna array with uniformly distributed antennas). In some examples, a set of satellites, each containing an antenna, is unevenly distributed over a wide area, and each satellite may communicate with a central entity (e.g., a central server or ground station). In such cases, the antennas of the set of satellites can be used to form an antenna array. In some examples, a set of satellites, each containing an antenna subarray, may be unevenly distributed over a wide area, with each satellite capable of communicating with a central entity (e.g., a central server or ground station), and the antenna subarrays may contain arrays of uniformly distributed antennas. In such cases, the antenna subarrays of the set of satellites can be used to form an antenna array.

[0012] The satellite system 101 may use one or more satellites to support multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques to increase the utilization of frequency resources used for communications by enabling the reuse of wireless spectrum in different geographical areas in terms of time and frequency. Similarly, the satellite system 101 may use one or more satellites to support beamforming techniques to increase the utilization of frequency resources used for communications.

[0013] MIMO techniques can be used to leverage multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals through different spatial layers. Multiple signals can be transmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., a satellite system) through a set of antennas according to a set of weighting coefficients. Similarly, multiple signals can be received by a receiving device (e.g., a satellite system) through a set of antennas according to a set of weighting coefficients. Each of the multiple signals may be associated with a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), used for multiple spatial layers to communicate with a single device, and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), used for multiple spatial layers to communicate with multiple devices.

[0014] A MIMO matrix (M×N) can be formed to determine weighting coefficients to apply to a set of antennas so that N spatial layers are formed, where M may represent the number of antennas in the set. In some examples, M may be equal to N. The MIMO matrix is ​​determined based on a channel matrix and can be used to separate different spatial layers of a channel. In some examples, the weighting coefficients are chosen to highlight signals transmitted using different spatial layers while reducing interference of signals transmitted in other spatial layers. Thus, processing signals received at each antenna (e.g., signals received in the set of antennas) using a set of antennas with a MIMO matrix may result in the output of multiple signals, each of which may correspond to one of the spatial layers. The elements of the MIMO matrix used to form the spatial layers of a channel can be determined, for example, based on channel sounding probes received in satellite system 101 from one or more devices. In some examples, the weighting coefficients used for MIMO communication may be called beam coefficients, and the multiple signals or spatial layers may be called beam signals.

[0015] Beamforming techniques can be used to shape or steer a communication beam along a spatial path between a satellite system 101 and a geographical area. The communication beam can be formed by determining weighting coefficients for the antenna elements of an antenna array, which result in the combination of signals transmitted from or received by antenna elements such that signals propagating in a particular direction relative to the antenna array undergo constructive interference, while other signals undergo destructive interference. Thus, beamforming can be used to transmit a signal with energy focused in the direction of the communication beam and to receive a signal arriving in the direction of communication with increased signal power (compared to the absence of beamforming). Weighting coefficients can be used to apply amplitude offset, phase offset, or both to the signal carried through the antenna. In some examples, weighting coefficients applied to an antenna can be used to form multiple beams related to multiple directions, and these multiple beams can be used to communicate multiple signals having the same frequency simultaneously. The weighting coefficients used for beamforming may be called beam coefficients, and the multiple signals may be called beam signals.

[0016] In some examples, beamforming techniques can be used by the satellite system 101 to form spot beams that are tiled (e.g., mosaiced) across a geographical area. In some examples, the wireless spectrum used by the satellite system 101 can be reused across a set of spot beams for communication between the terminal 120 and the satellite system. In some examples, the wireless spectrum can be reused in non-overlapping spot beams, and adjacent geographical areas can be covered by overlapping spot beams, each using orthogonal resources (e.g., orthogonal time, frequency, or polarization resources).

[0017] To support an increased number of users within a geographical area, antenna arrays with antennas having different inter-element spacings across the array (which may be called large sparse antenna arrays) can be used to increase the resolution of beamforming techniques. That is, large sparse antenna arrays can be used (in combination with, for example, their respective beam coefficients) to form communication beams with small coverage areas (e.g., less than 10 kilometers in diameter). Large sparse antenna arrays, such as antenna array 105, may include multiple antennas 110 (e.g., hundreds or thousands of antennas) that are unevenly distributed across an area, for example, in space. In some examples, each antenna 110 is an individual satellite or installed on individual satellites. In other examples, the antennas 110 are installed on a single satellite, and each antenna 110 is connected to a central location, for example, via a physical connection.

[0018] Additionally, the distance between antennas 110 may be greater than the distance related to the wavelength of the signal supported for communication by the large sparse antenna array, for example, the distance between antennas 110 may be greater than the distance related to the wavelength. In some examples, the distance between antennas 110 may be greater than 10 times the wavelength. In some examples, such as in the entire antenna array 105, the first distance (d1) between a first antenna of antenna 110 and a second antenna of antenna 110 may be different from the second distance (d2) between a second antenna of antenna 110 and a third antenna. In some examples, the large sparse antenna array includes multiple antenna subarrays 115 (e.g., tens or hundreds of antenna subarrays) that are unevenly distributed over an area. In some examples, each antenna subarray may contain a group of antennas 110. In some examples, each antenna subarray 115 may contain antennas 110 (which may be called antenna elements) evenly distributed over the corresponding antenna subarray 115. In some examples, in addition to being highly sparse, the antenna array 105 may be random or semi-random such that the distances between the antennas 110 of the antenna array 105 are uncontrolled or partially controlled (for example, they may not be constrained in one or more dimensions, or they may drift in one or more dimensions relative to other antennas 110).

[0019] To form a small communication beam, a geometric relationship between the geographical region and the antennas 110 of the large sparse antenna array 105 can be used. In some examples, the geometric relationship between the geographical region and the antennas 110 of the large sparse antenna array 105 can also be used to simplify the processing used for massive MIMO techniques, for example, based on a limited direction of signal incidence, known location information about the terminal, or any combination thereof.

[0020] In some examples, to support communication using a communication beam 117 with a small coverage area, a large sparse antenna array 105 may be used (e.g., in combination with their respective beam coefficients) to form a discovery beam 119 within a geographic area 150, each discovery beam 119 may be formed by a corresponding set of antennas 110 of the antenna array 105 and may cover a discovery area 155 within the geographic area 150. For example, each subarray 115 may form a discovery beam 119, and the discovery beams can be tiled across the geographic area 150. A preamble 118 transmitted from a terminal 120 within the discovery area 155 of the discovery beam 119 can be detected using the large sparse antenna array 105 (e.g., each subarray 115 may detect a preamble 118 transmitted from within its corresponding discovery area 155). Based on detecting the preamble 118 using the discovery beam 119, the presence of a terminal 120 within the discovery area 155 of the discovery beam 119 can be determined. Based on the detection of the presence of terminal 120, a set of antennas 110 of the antenna array 105 (e.g., antennas from two or more sub-arrays 115, a significant portion of antenna 110, most of antenna 110, or all of antenna 110) and the corresponding beam coefficients can be selected to form a communication beam 117 (e.g., a small or narrow beam) having a beam coverage area 160 within the discovery area 155, including the location of terminal 120. The signals detected in the antenna array 105 can then be processed according to the beam coefficients used to form the small communication beam 117, resulting in a beam signal for the small communication beam 117. In some examples, the beam signal may include one or more signals transmitted from one or more terminals located within the beam coverage area 160.

[0021] In some examples, the antenna array 105 includes multiple antenna subarrays 115, each of which can be used to form a discovery beam 119 associated with a corresponding discovery area 155. Preambles from a set of terminals 120 can be detected using a subset of the discovery beam 119. Based on detecting terminals using a subset of the discovery beam 119, a communication beam 117 can be formed within the corresponding discovery area 155 (e.g., using geometric interpretation or MIMO-based techniques), and the beam coverage area 160 of the communication beam 117 may encompass the detected terminals 120. Communication can be conducted between the antenna array 105 and the detected terminals 120 using the communication beam 117, and at least a subset of the communication beam 117 may reuse common time, frequency, and polarization resources.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an example of a communications network 200 that supports beamforming using a sparse antenna array, according to the examples described herein.

[0023] Communication network 200 represents a system for communicating using one or more of MIMO techniques, geometric interpretation techniques, and geometrically informed MIMO techniques. Communication network 200 may include antenna array 205, bus 215, beam manager 220, signal detector 240, positioning component 245, processor 247, communication manager 250, and memory 255. At least a portion (e.g., all) of communication network 200 may be located within the spatial segment of communication network 200 (e.g., within a satellite system). In some examples, a portion of communication network 200 that is not included in the spatial segment may be located within the terrestrial segment of communication network 200 (e.g., within a terrestrial system). For example, antenna array 205, beam manager 220, signal detector 240, positioning component 245, processor 247, and memory 255 may be included in the spatial segment of communication network 200, while communication manager 250 may be included in the terrestrial segment of communication network 200. In another example, antenna array 205 may be included in the spatial segment of communication network 200, while beam manager 220, signal detector 240, positioning component 245, processor 247, memory 255, and communication manager 250 may be included in the terrestrial segment of communication network 200.

[0024] Antenna array 205 may be an example of the antenna array of FIG. 1 and may include antennas 210. Antenna 210 may be an example of antenna 110 described with reference to FIG. 1. In some examples, one or more of antennas 210 may be or may include an antenna subarray similar to antenna subarray 115 described with reference to FIG. 1. The spacing between antennas 210 may vary across antenna array 205. In some examples, the distance between antennas 210 (e.g., average distance) is greater than a distance related to the wavelength of the signal communicated using antenna array 205. In some examples, the distance between antennas 210 (e.g., average distance) is greater than a distance related to ten times the wavelength of the signal communicated using antenna array 205.

[0025] Bus 215 may represent an interface through which signals can be exchanged between the antenna array 205 and a central location that can be used to distribute signals to signal processing components (e.g., beam manager 220, signal detector 240, and positioning component 245) of the communication network 200. Bus 215 may include a set of wires connecting to each of the antennas. Additionally or alternatively, bus 215 may be a wireless interface used to communicate signaling wirelessly between the antenna array 205 and the signal processing components, e.g., according to a communication protocol.

[0026] The beam manager 220 may be configured to form beams including discovery beams, communication beams, geometry-based beams, MIMO-based beams, etc. In some examples, the beam manager 220 may be configured to form one or more discovery beams (e.g., a discovery beam covering the discovery area 155 in FIG. 1) within a geographic area covered by the antenna array 205 (e.g., the geographic area 150 in FIG. 1). To form the discovery beam, the native antenna pattern of a set of antennas 210 may be used, or may be combined with beamforming techniques, MIMO techniques, or a combination thereof.

[0027] The beam manager 220 may also be configured to form one or more communication beams (e.g., a communication beam forming the beam coverage area 160 in FIG. 1). To form the communication beam, geometry-based beamforming techniques, MIMO techniques, or geometrically informed MIMO techniques may be used. The beam manager 220 may include a geometry component 225 and a MIMO component 230.

[0028] The geometric component 225 may be configured to form a small communication beam (e.g., a communication beam with a diameter smaller than 10 km or smaller than 5 km) using the geometric relationship between the terminal's position and the set of antennas 210 of the antenna array 205 (e.g., including all of them at most). In some examples, the geometric component 225 may determine beam coefficients (e.g., phase shift, amplitude components) that can be used to temporally align signals detected at different antennas 210, so that the signals can be added together according to the spatial location of the terminal, increasing the signal intensity of the transmitted signal associated with each detected signal. In some examples, the geometric component 225 may determine a first set of beam coefficients associated with a first beam coverage area, a second set of beam coefficients associated with a second beam coverage area, and so on. Thus, the geometric component 225 may independently determine multiple sets of beam coefficients and apply them to signals received from the antenna array 205, with each set of beam coefficients associated with a different beam coverage area.

[0029] The MIMO component 230 may be configured to use multipath signal propagation to form a MIMO-based beam. In some examples, the MIMO component 230 may receive channel sounding probes from a set of transmitters (e.g., terminals), the structure of the channel sounding probes may be known to the MIMO component 230, and channel sounding probes transmitted from different transmitters may be orthogonal to each other. The MIMO component 230 may use the channel sounding probes to estimate the channel between the antenna array 205 and the transmitters. Based on the estimated channel, the MIMO component 230 may determine beam coefficients (e.g., amplitude and phase shift) that can be used to reveal the spatial layers of the channel. In some examples, the MIMO component 230 may determine beam coefficients that can be used to separate signals transmitted on each spatial layer from each other by highlighting the signal transmitted within that spatial layer and canceling interference from signals transmitted in other spatial layers. The MIMO component 230 may determine a single set of beam coefficients to apply to the signals detected in a set of antennas 210 (e.g., all) in the antenna array 205. The beam coefficient can be contained in an M×N matrix, where the value of M may represent the number of antennas 210, and the value of N may represent the number of spatial layers. The value of N may be less than or equal to the value of M.

[0030] The signal detector 240 may be configured to detect preambles transmitted from one or more terminals. In some examples, the preamble includes a waveform repetition and is used to indicate the presence of a transmitting terminal. The preamble may also include positioning information (e.g., GPS coordinates). In some examples, the preamble is encoded and difficult to spoof, for example, by using spreading code, encrypted data, etc. In some examples, the preamble may be a two-part preamble. For example, the preamble may include a first part (e.g., a waveform repetition) used for preamble detection and a second part containing positioning information. In some examples, the first part of the preamble containing the repetition is transmitted first, and the second part of the preamble containing the positioning data is transmitted after a response from the communication network 200 acknowledging the detection of the first part of the preamble is received.

[0031] The positioning component 245 may be configured to determine the location of one or more terminals detected within a geographic area, for example, based on detecting one or more corresponding preambles. In some examples, the positioning component 245 determines the location of one or more terminals based on positioning information received in the preambles. Additionally or alternatively, the positioning component 245 may determine the location of one or more terminals based on dithering a beam coverage area of ​​a communication beam to determine the location of a beam coverage area that maximizes the signal quality of the terminals, and the terminals may be centered within the beam coverage area.

[0032] The communications manager 250 may be configured to process beam signals received from the beam manager 220. The communications manager 250 may decode data symbols contained in the beam signals. In some examples, the communications manager 250 may configure different modes in the beam manager 220. For example, the communications manager 250 may configure a first mode in the beam manager 220 used to discover terminals within a geographic area. While the first mode is configured, the beam manager 220 may form a discovery area using beamforming and / or MIMO techniques. The communications manager 250 may also configure a second mode in the beam manager 220 used to communicate with terminals within a geographic area using a smaller beam. While the second mode is configured, the beam manager 220 may form a beam coverage area for communicating with the discovered terminals using geometric interpretation. In some examples, the first and second modes may be configured simultaneously in the beam manager 220. Thus, the antenna array 205 may be used to simultaneously form a discovery beam and a communications beam. When a discovery beam and a communication beam are formed simultaneously, the communication beam within the discovery beam may use different frequencies, times, or polarization resources. The communication manager 250 may also configure a third mode in the beam manager 220, which is used to communicate with terminals in a geographic area using a smaller beam. While the third mode is configured, the beam manager 220 may use geometrically notified MIMO to form a beam coverage area for communicating with discovered terminals. In some examples, the first and third modes are configured simultaneously, and the second and third modes are configured alternatively in the beam manager 220.

[0033] The processor 247 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), central processing units (CPUs), microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). The processor 247 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 255) to cause the communication device 200 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting beamforming using a sparse antenna array). For example, the communication network 200 or components of the communication network 200 may include the processor 247 and memory 255 connected to the processor 247, which are configured to perform various functions described herein.

[0034] Memory 255 may include random access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM). Memory 255 may store computer-readable and computer-executable code. The code may include instructions that, when executed by processor 247, cause the communication network 200 to perform various functions described herein. Code 260 may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 260 may not be directly executable by processor 247, but (for example, when compiled and executed) can cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 255 may include a basic I / O system (BIOS) that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices, among other things.

[0035] In some examples, the beam manager 220, signal detector 240, positioning component 245, communication manager 250, or various combinations thereof or components may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting means for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor executing instructions stored in memory).

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, the beam manager 220, signal detector 240, positioning component 245, communication manager 250, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code 260 executed by processor 247 (for example, as communication management software or firmware). When implemented in code 260 executed by processor 247, the functions of the beam manager 220, signal detector 240, positioning component 245, communication manager 250, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, central processing unit (CPU), ASIC, FPGA, or any combination thereof or other programmable logic device (for example, configured or otherwise supporting as means for performing the functions described herein).

[0037] Figure 3 shows an example of a communication subsystem 300 supporting beamforming using a sparse antenna array, according to examples described herein. The communication subsystem 300 shows communication between the antenna array 305 and the terminal 320, which is handled using the geometric relationship between the antennas 310 and terminal 320 of the antenna array 305. In some examples, a first set of signals 325 is transmitted between a first terminal 320-1 and the antenna array 305, and a second set of signals 330 is transmitted between a second terminal 320-2 and the antenna array 305. In some examples, the first set of signals 325 may relate to a single signal (e.g., a preamble or data signal) transmitted from the first terminal 320-1 to the antenna array 305, and the first set of signals 325 may be components (e.g., multipath components) of a signal transmitted from the first terminal 320-1. In other examples, the first set of signals 325 may relate to a single signal (e.g., a preamble response or data signal) acquired in the antenna array 305 for transmission to the first terminal 320-1, and the first set of signals 325 may also relate to components (e.g., elements) of a signal transmitted from the antenna array 305. Similarly, the second set of signals 330 may relate to a single signal (e.g., a preamble or data signal) transmitted from the second terminal 320-2 to the antenna array 305, or a single signal (e.g., a preamble response or data signal) acquired in the antenna array 305 for transmission to the second terminal 320-2.

[0038] In some examples, a first set of antennas 310 and a first beam coefficient are used to form a discovery beam 319 having a discovery area 355. The signal received in the antenna array 305 using the first set of antennas 310 and the first beam coefficient can be analyzed to determine whether the signal contains a preamble indicating the presence of a terminal. In some examples, the presence of a first terminal 320-1 is detected based on the fact that the first terminal 320-1 transmits a preamble, and a first set of signals 325 may be a signal component of the preamble transmission. The preamble may contain a repeating waveform. In some examples, the waveform may be modulated with a spreading code before transmission or may contain encoded data to increase the difficulty associated with spoofing the preamble. The preamble may also contain positioning information, for example, in a second part of the preamble.

[0039] In some examples, the location of the first terminal 320-1 may be determined based on positioning information contained in the preamble. Additionally or alternatively, the location of the first terminal 320-1 may be determined based on dithering the beam coverage area around the discovery area 355 after detecting the presence of the first terminal 320-1. The location of the first terminal 320-1 may be determined based on whether the signal quality associated with the first beam coverage area 360-1 meets a threshold, is higher than the signal quality associated with other beam coverage areas covered by the dithering operation, or both. The presence and location of the second terminal 320-2 may similarly be detected based on a preamble transmitted from the second terminal 320-2, where the second set of signals 330 may be the signal component of the preamble transmission.

[0040] A second beam coefficient may be determined relative to the first terminal 320-1 based on its position. The second beam coefficient may also be determined based on the position of antenna 310 relative to the first terminal 320-1. The second beam coefficient may be used, together with a second set of antenna 310, in forming a first communication beam 317-1 having a first beam coverage area 360-1. The second beam coefficient may be used to apply a timing shift (e.g., phase shift) or amplitude weighting to signals detected at different antennas of the second set of antenna 310 so that signals transmitted within the first beam coverage area 360-1 are distinguishable from signals transmitted within adjacent beam coverage areas. In some examples, the second beam coefficient may be represented using an M1 × 1 vector, where M1 may represent the number of antennas in the second set of antenna 310 (e.g., 100 antennas, 1000 antennas, etc.). In some cases, the M1×1 vector may contain coefficients for all of antenna 310, some of which may be zero (for example, a second set of antenna 310 contributing to the first communication beam 317-1 may be a subset of antenna 310).

[0041] The third beam coefficient may be determined similarly for the second terminal 320-2. In some examples, the third beam coefficient may be expressed using an M2x1 vector, where M2 may represent the number of antennas in the third set of antennas 310 (e.g., 100 antennas, 1000 antennas, etc.). In some examples, the third set of antennas 310 and the second set of antennas 310 overlap (e.g., partially or completely).

[0042] In some examples, a first set of antennas 310 associated with the discovery beam 319 may detect a first set 325 of signals in the discovery area 360, and a second beam coefficient may be determined to form a first communication beam 317-1. Based on the determination, the second beam coefficient may be applied to a subsequent set of detected signals output by a second set of antennas 310 associated with the first communication beam 317-1 (for example, corresponding to a subsequent data signal transmitted by a first terminal 320-1). In some examples, the second set of antennas 310 includes a large portion of the antennas 310 in the antenna array 305 (e.g., greater than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%). In some cases, the second set of antennas 310 may include a portion (or all) of the first set of antennas 310 associated with the discovery beam 319, and the second set of antennas 310 may include a greater number of antennas 310 than the first set of antennas 310.

[0043] A first set of antennas 310 associated with the discovery beam 319 may also detect a second set 330 of signals in the discovery area 360, and a third beam coefficient used to form the second communication beam 317-2 may be determined. Based on the determination, the third beam coefficient may be applied to a subsequent set of detection signals output by the third set of antennas 310 associated with the second communication beam 317-2 (corresponding to subsequent data signals transmitted by the second terminal 320-2). The third set of antennas 310 may overlap with the second set of antennas 310, for example, by including a portion of the second set of antennas 310 or by being the same as it. The second set of antennas 310 may also include a large portion of antennas 310 in the antenna array 305 (e.g., greater than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%).

[0044] Signal diagram 301 shows a first set 335 of elemental signals detected in a second set of antennas 310 associated with a first communication beam 317-1, and a second set 340 of elemental signals detected in a third set of antennas 310 associated with a second communication beam 317-2. Signal diagram 301 also shows the time delays associated when the first set 335 and the second set 340 of elemental signals are detected in their respective antennas. The first set 335 of elemental signals may correspond to a first set 325 of signals, and the second set 340 of elemental signals may correspond to a second set 330 of signals. In some examples, the first set 335 of elemental signals and the first set 325 of signals may be associated with data signals transmitted from a first terminal 320-1. Also, the second set 340 of elemental signals and the second set 330 of signals may be associated with data signals transmitted from a second terminal 320-2.

[0045] Signal diagram 301 also shows the result of applying a first beam coefficient 364-1 (which may correspond to a second beam coefficient used to form the first communication beam 317-1) to a first set of element signals 335 to obtain the resulting element signal 365. In some examples, each beam coefficient of the first beam coefficient 364-1 may be applied to each antenna of a second set of antennas 310. Each beam coefficient of the first beam coefficient 364-1 may also be used to apply a time delay (e.g., phase shift) or amplitude weighting, or both, to the signal received at each antenna element, so that the resulting element signals 365 are temporally aligned and combined with each other (e.g., added via an adder component 366) to form a first beam signal 375-1 for the first communication beam 317-1, the SNR value of the first beam signal 375-1 may be proportional to the number of element signals 365. In some examples, the summing component 366 may include a separate summing component used to add the element signals acquired for each communication beam.

[0046] A second beam coefficient 364-2 (which may correspond to a third beam coefficient used to form the second communication beam 317-2) can similarly be applied to a second set of element signals 340, and the resulting element signal 370 can be combined to obtain a second beam signal 375-2 for the second communication beam 317-2 (for example, by adding via an adder component 366). Thus, the beam coefficient used to form the communication beam 317 can be determined independently and applied to the signal received at antenna 310.

[0047] In some examples, the transmission of relevant data signals from a first terminal 320-1 and a relevant data signal from a second terminal 320-2 may overlap in time (e.g., partially or completely). In such cases, the first set of element signals 335 and the second set of element signals 340 may be superimposed to form a composite signal. Also in such cases, the first beam coefficient 364-1 may be applied to the composite signal to obtain the resulting element signal 365, and the second beam coefficient 364-2 may be applied to the composite signal to obtain the resulting element signal 370. In such cases, undesirable signals in the composite signal may result in noise in the resulting beam signal 375, which may approach cancellation for a large number of element signals.

[0048] In some examples, the following formula may be used to determine the beam signals received from multiple communication beams 317.

[0049]

number

[0050]

number

[0051]

number

[0052]

number

[0053] Figure 4 shows an example of a communication subsystem 400 supporting beamforming using a sparse antenna array, as described herein. The communication subsystem 400 shows communication between the antenna array 405 and terminal 420, which is processed using MIMO processing or geometrically notified MIMO processing. In some examples, the first terminal 420-1 is an example of the first terminal 320-1 in Figure 3, and the second terminal 420-2 is an example of the second terminal 320-2 in Figure 3.

[0054] The communication path between terminal 420 and antenna array 405 is sometimes referred to as a channel. A channel may consist of multiple spatial layers, and multiple antennas 410 of antenna array 405 (along with a set of beam coefficients) may be used to expose the spatial layers of the channel. In some examples, a set of beam coefficients (sometimes referred to as MIMO coefficients) is selected to expose a first spatial layer of the channel encompassing a first terminal 420-1 (sometimes referred to as a communication beam or MIMO beam) and a second spatial layer of the channel encompassing a second terminal 420-2.

[0055] In some examples, the beam coefficient is determined based on channel sounding probes transmitted from terminal 420. The channel sounding probes may have signal patterns known to the communication network and can be used to adapt the beam coefficients to ensure that the spatial layer is focused on each terminal (or group of terminals). The channel sounding probes may be orthogonal to each other. Estimation techniques such as maximum ratio combining (MRC), minimum mean square error (MMSE), zero forcing, successive interference cancellation, maximum likelihood estimation, or neural network MIMO detection techniques may be used to estimate the channel between antenna array 405 and terminal 420 and determine the beam coefficient. Since the beam coefficient is formed using channel sounding probes received from multiple terminals, the resulting beam coefficient may depend on channel sounding probes transmitted in different spatial layers. That is, the beam coefficients may be determined to reduce interference from the channel sounding probes to each other, and a change to one beam coefficient may result in a change to others. Therefore, the beam coefficient can be contained in a single MIMO matrix (e.g., an M×N matrix, where M may represent the number of antennas 410 and N may represent the number of spatial streams), and the elements of the matrix may be dependent on each other.

[0056] In some examples, the operation for determining the beam coefficients involves high-level processing and is highly complex. The amount and complexity of processing can increase as the number of antennas and the number of spatial streams increases. In some examples, the geometric relationship between terminal 420 and antenna 410 can be used to simplify the operation for determining the beam coefficients, for example, by constraining the channel matrix, reducing the set of possible beam coefficients, or both. In some examples, the channel sounding probe may experience less scattering based on the relative positions of terminal 420 and antenna array 405. Thus, the channel estimated using the channel sounding probe can be constrained, which can reduce the complexity associated with determining the beam coefficients.

[0057] The geometric relationship between terminal 420 and antenna 410 may allow for a reduction in the set of possible beam coefficients for one or more of the following reasons: namely, the position of the antenna in space may reduce the amount of scattering and multipath components considered for ground applications; the position of the antenna in space may reduce the angle at which the signal transmitted from terminal 420 can reach; and time delays in different antennas 410 may be used to determine spatial information that facilitates the determination of beam coefficients.

[0058] Signal diagram 401 may show a first set of elemental signals 435 received in antenna array 405, each elemental signal which may be received in its respective antenna; for example, the first elemental signal 435-1 may correspond to the first antenna of antenna 410. Each elemental signal 435 may receive signal components related to signals transmitted from a first terminal 420-1 and a second terminal 420-2 (and, in some examples, from other terminals), including direct-path signals and multipath signals.

[0059] The MIMO matrix 440 may be applied to element signals 435, and the elements of the MIMO matrix 440 may be predetermined using channel sounding probes transmitted from a set of terminals. After the MIMO matrix 440 has been applied to element signals 435, a set of beam signals 475 may be output, and the beam signals 475 may be associated with each spatial layer of the channel exposed by the MIMO matrix 440.

[0060] Figure 5 shows an exemplary set of operations for beamforming using a sparse antenna array, according to the examples described herein. Process flow 500 can be performed by a communication network 501 and terminal 520, which may be examples of the communication network and terminal configurations described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Communication network 501 may include an antenna array (e.g., antenna array 105 in Figure 1), a ground system (e.g., ground system 135 in Figure 1), and a network device (e.g., network device 130 in Figure 1). In some examples, communication network 501 may be a satellite network.

[0061] In some examples, process flow 500 illustrates an exemplary set of operations performed to support beamforming using a sparse antenna array. For example, process flow 500 illustrates operations for discovering a terminal and forming a small communication beam using a sparse antenna array. One or more of the operations described in process flow 500 may be performed earlier or later in the process, may be omitted, replaced, supplemented, or combined with other operations. Additional operations described herein that are not included in process flow 500 may also be included.

[0062] In 525, the communication network 501 may form multiple discovery beams, each having a discovery area within a geographical area. In some examples, for instance, if the discovery area does not cover the entire geographical area, the discovery area is swept across the geographical area. In some examples, the perimeter of the geographical area is approximately 1000 km, and the perimeter of the discovery area is greater than 50 km.

[0063] Multiple sets of antennas in the antenna array of the communication network 501 may be used (for example, in combination with their respective beam coefficients) to form each discovery beam used to cover a geographic area. In some examples, each set of antennas may have a native antenna pattern focused on a specific region of the geographic area (based on, for example, physical orientation, physical configuration, etc.), and the region may correspond to the discovery area. In some examples, each set of antennas comprises less than 10% of the antennas in the antenna array. Also, a set of antennas may include one or more common antennas. In some examples, each set of beam coefficients is applied to a set of signals received from each set of antennas to form a discovery beam with a discovery area. In some examples, the values ​​of the set of beam coefficients may be adjusted, for example, to sweep the discovery area across the geographic area.

[0064] In some examples, MIMO techniques may be used to form a discovery beam with discovery areas, and beam coefficients (e.g., beam coefficient matrix) may be determined for a set of antennas (or antenna groups) of an antenna array exposing the spatial layer of the channel corresponding to each discovery area. In some examples, the beam coefficients of the MIMO matrix may be based on channel sounding probes transmitted from known transmitters (e.g., reference terminals) that may be located at known locations. In some examples, one of the known transmitters is located within each of the discovery areas.

[0065] In 530, terminal 520 may transmit a preamble, for example, in the direction of the antenna array of the communication network 501. In some examples, terminal 520 may transmit a preamble to establish an initial connection to the communication network 501. The preamble may include a repeat of a waveform (e.g., up to 100 repetitions). In some examples, the waveform is modulated by a spreading sequence to increase the difficulty associated with spoofing the preamble. Additionally or alternatively, the waveform may be used to communicate an encoded message. The preamble may also include positioning information, such as global positioning coordinates, in a second part of the preamble, for example. In some examples, the second part of the preamble is transmitted at a later time, for example, in response to a signaling received from the communication network 501 indicating the reception of the preamble. In some examples, the preamble transmitted by terminal 520 may be unique to preambles transmitted by other terminals (or may be randomly selected from a set of preambles to reduce the likelihood that nearby terminals will select the same preamble).

[0066] In 535, the communication network 501 may detect a preamble transmitted from the terminal 520. In some examples, the communication network 501 detects the preamble based on combining signals received during consecutive time intervals to obtain a combined signal, filtering the combined signal based on the waveform contained in the preamble to obtain a filtered signal, and determining whether the filtered signal matches the waveform, whether the energy of the filtered signal exceeds a threshold, or both. For example, the communication network 501 may detect the preamble based on determining that the energy of the filtered signal exceeds a threshold. In some examples, based on detecting the preamble, the communication network 501 may also detect a second part of the preamble containing positioning information.

[0067] In 540, the communication network 501 may determine the location of terminal 520 based on detecting a preamble. In some examples, the communication network 501 determines the location of terminal 520 based on positioning information contained in a second part of the preamble. In some examples, the communication network 501 determines the location of terminal 520 based on positioning information contained in a second part of a preamble subsequently transmitted by terminal 520, as described with reference to 545 and 550.

[0068] In some examples, the communication network 501 may determine the discovery area in which terminal 520 is located based on a preamble received using a set of antennas and / or beamforming coefficients corresponding to the discovery area. The communication network 501 may further determine the refined location of terminal 520 based on forming a communication beam and dithering the coverage area of ​​the communication beam within the discovery area. In some examples, the communication beam is formed using a set of antennas in an antenna array (e.g., greater than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the antennas), and the perimeter of the communication beam may be less than 10 km or less than 5 km. The refined location of terminal 520 may be determined by comparing the signal strength of signals transmitted from terminal 520 (e.g., a preamble or channel sounding probe) determined for different coverage areas of the communication beam. In some examples, a single signal transmitted from terminal 520 is used by the communication network 501 to determine the terminal's location by applying different beam coefficients to the signal detected in the antennas of an antenna array corresponding to the signal (and, in some examples, buffered or stored by the communication network 501), and measuring the resulting signal intensity.

[0069] In 545, the communication network 501 may transmit a response to a preamble transmitted from terminal 520. In some examples, the response may include a signal pattern used to indicate that the response is for a preamble transmitted from terminal 520. The response may include a request for terminal 520 to transmit positioning information to the communication network 501. Additionally or alternatively, the response may include a request for terminal 520 to transmit a channel sounding probe to help determine the spatial layer of a channel between the communication network 501 and a set of terminals in a geographic area including terminal 520.

[0070] In 550, terminal 520 may transmit positioning information to the communication network 501, for example, based on receiving a response from the communication network 501. In some examples, the positioning information transmitted from terminal 520 is considered to be a second part of the preamble transmitted by terminal 520.

[0071] In 555, terminal 520 may send a channel sounding probe to the communication network 501. In some examples, the channel sounding probe is sent based on receiving a response from the communication network 501. The channel sounding probe may be included in a second part of the preamble or may be considered a third part of the preamble sent by terminal 520.

[0072] In 560, the communication network 501 can form one or more communication beams. In some examples, the communication network 501 can form one or more communication beams using a set of antennas that include a large portion of the antennas in an antenna array (e.g., more than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%), and the number of antennas involved in forming a communication beam may be greater than the number of antennas involved in forming a discovery beam. The communication network 501 can form a first communication beam having a beam coverage area that includes terminal 520.

[0073] In some examples, the communication network 501 forms one or more communication beams using beam coefficients determined based on MIMO processing. In some examples, the communication network 501 determines the presence of multiple terminals (including terminal 520), and the communication network 501 may process channel sounding probes transmitted by the terminals to determine beam coefficients that expose different spatial layers of channels corresponding to different terminals. In some examples, the communication network 501 determines a single set of beam coefficients to be applied to signals received in a set of antennas (or antenna groups). The single set of beam coefficients may be selected to enhance signals transmitted within a spatial layer while reducing interference from signals transmitted in other spatial layers.

[0074] In some examples, the communication network 501 forms one or more communication beams using beam coefficients determined based on the geometric relationship (sometimes called geometric interpretation) between the terminal and the antennas of the antenna array. For example, the communication network 501 may form a first communication beam based on the determined position of terminal 520 and the determined positions of a set of antennas corresponding to the beam coefficients. The beam coefficients to be applied to the signal detected in the antennas of the set of antennas may be determined based on the respective distances between the position of terminal 520 and the antennas. In some examples, the beam coefficients are time shifts (e.g., phase shifts). The communication network 501 may similarly form other communication beams based on the determined positions of other terminals using their respective beam coefficients. In some examples, each beam coefficient is determined independently of the others. Thus, the amount and complexity of processing associated with determining each beam coefficient can be reduced, for example, to the processing for determining the MIMO beam matrix.

[0075] In some examples, a communication network 501 forms one or more communication beams using beam coefficients determined based on a combination of MIMO processing and geometric interpretation (sometimes called geometrically notified MIMO). Geometrically notified MIMO can reduce the complexity of MIMO processing by using geometric relationships between a terminal and an antenna array to reduce the set of possible beam coefficients that can be used to form the spatial layer of the channel between the terminal and the antenna array. For example, geometrically notified MIMO can be simplified based primarily on signals arriving in space from one direction with the smallest angular difference. Also, the angles of arrival of the multipath components of the signal reaching the antenna array may be predictable, for example, due to the presence of a small amount of scattering objects in space. In contrast, in a ground system, for example, a signal transmitted from a device to a base station may come from any direction, and the multipath components of the signal may be reflected from many different directions from objects surrounding the base station. In some examples, geometric relationships between the transmitter and the antennas of the antenna array may be used to further simplify the determination of the MIMO beam matrix.

[0076] In some examples, the beam coefficients used to form one or more communication beams using one or more of the techniques described above are determined in the antenna array of the communication network 501. For example, the beam coefficients may be determined using a central processing component coupled to the antennas (e.g., by wireless or wired connection). Additionally or alternatively, the antenna array may relay detected signals to a ground system that may be used to determine the beam coefficients.

[0077] In 565, the communication network 501 may exchange communications with terminal 520, for example, using a communication beam associated with terminal 520. In some examples, terminal 520 transmits a signal to the communication network 501 using a communication beam, and a set of antennas in an antenna array outputs element signals detected at each antenna. The communication network 501 may apply a first beam coefficient to the element signals; for example, the communication network 501 may apply individual beam coefficients of the first beam coefficient to the corresponding signals of the element signals.

[0078] In some examples, the communication network 501 transmits a signal to the terminal 520 using a communication beam. The communication network 501 may apply a first beam coefficient to the signal in order to obtain multiple element signals transmitted using the corresponding antennas of the antenna array.

[0079] Figure 6 shows an exemplary set of operations for beamforming using a sparse antenna array, as described herein. Method 600 may be performed by components of an antenna array, a ground system, or a combination thereof, which may be examples of a communication network (or its components) described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In some examples, the communication network may execute a set of instructions for controlling the functional elements of the communication network to perform the functions described. Additionally or alternatively, the communication network may perform aspects of the functions described using dedicated hardware.

[0080] In 605, method 600 may include forming a plurality of discovery beams within a geographic area by an antenna array, wherein each discovery beam is formed by a corresponding set of antennas of the antenna array, and the inter-element spacing of the antennas of the antenna array differs across the antenna array. The operation of 605 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 605 may be performed by a beam manager as described herein with reference to Figure 2.

[0081] In 610, method 600 may include detecting a preamble transmitted from a terminal using a discovery beam from a plurality of discovery beams, wherein the discovery beam is formed at least partially on a first set of corresponding antennas of an antenna array and includes a discovery area within a geographic area. The operation of 610 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 610 may be performed by a signal detector as described herein with reference to Figure 2.

[0082] In 615, method 600 may include determining the presence of a terminal in the discovery area based on the detection of a preamble. The operation of 615 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 615 may be performed by a positioning component as described herein with reference to Figure 2.

[0083] In 620, method 600 may include processing a plurality of signals detected in a second set of antennas of an antenna array according to a beam coefficient in order to obtain a beam signal of a communication beam, at least in part on determining the presence of a terminal in a discovery area, wherein the communication beam includes a beam coverage area in the discovery area including the location of a terminal in the discovery area, each detected signal of the plurality of signals detected in the second set of antennas includes the respective components of a communication signal transmitted by the terminal, and the number of antennas in the second set is greater than the number of antennas in the corresponding first set. The operation of 620 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the mode of operation of 620 may be performed by a beam manager as described herein with reference to Figure 2.

[0084] In some examples, the apparatus described herein may perform one or more methods, such as method 600. The apparatus forms a plurality of discovery beams within a geographic area by an antenna array, each discovery beam being formed by a corresponding set of antennas of the antenna array, wherein the inter-element spacing of the antennas of the antenna array differs across the antenna array; and using one of the discovery beams to detect a preamble transmitted from a terminal, wherein the discovery beam is formed at least in part on a first set of corresponding antennas of the antenna array, and includes a discovery area within a geographic area; and determining the presence of a terminal within the discovery area, at least in part on detecting the preamble. The processing of a plurality of signals detected in a second set of antennas of an antenna array according to a beam coefficient, in order to obtain a beam signal of a communication beam, at least in part on determining the presence of a terminal in a detection area, wherein the communication beam includes a beam coverage area in the discovery area including the location of a terminal in the discovery area, each detected signal in the second set of antennas includes each component of a communication signal transmitted by the terminal, and the number of antennas in the second set is greater than the number of antennas in the corresponding first set, may include features, circuits, logic, means or instructions (e.g., a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor).

[0085] In some examples, the preamble may include features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for determining the location of a terminal within a geographic area, at least partially based on the terminal's location, and for determining the beam coefficient, at least partially based on the terminal's location.

[0086] In some cases, the terminal's location is determined at least partially based on the terminal's positioning information included in the preamble.

[0087] In some examples, the device may include features, circuits, logic, means or instructions for adjusting the beam coverage area of ​​a communication beam and determining multiple signal intensities of a beam signal, at least in part on the basis of adjusting the beam coverage area of ​​a communication beam, wherein the position of a terminal is determined, at least in part on the basis of being at the center of the beam coverage area, when one of the signal intensities satisfies a threshold.

[0088] In some examples, the preamble includes a first section containing a repetition of a waveform used to indicate the presence of a terminal.

[0089] In some examples, the preamble includes a second part containing the terminal's positioning information.

[0090] In some examples, the apparatus may include features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for determining the positions of a second set of antennas and determining the beam coefficient based at least partially on the positions of the second set of antennas.

[0091] In some examples, the device may include features, circuits, logic, means or instructions for processing a second plurality of signals detected in a second set of antennas according to beam coefficients in order to obtain a second beam signal of a second communication beam, wherein the second communication beam includes a second beam coverage area in the discovery area including the location of the second terminal in the discovery area, and each detected signal of the second plurality of signals detected in the second set of antennas includes the respective components of the second communication signal transmitted by the second terminal.

[0092] In some examples, the apparatus may include features, circuits, logic, means or instructions for receiving a first set of channel sounding probes from a first terminal and a second set of channel sounding probes from a second terminal, determining an estimated channel between the first terminal, the second terminal and a second set of antennas based at least in part on the first set of channel sounding probes and the second set of channel sounding probes, and determining a beam coefficient based at least in part on the estimated channel.

[0093] In some examples, the apparatus may include features, circuits, logic, means or instructions for determining a geometric relationship between a terminal and a second set of antennas, and determining a set of potential beam coefficients based at least in part on the geometric relationship between the terminal and the second set of antennas, wherein the number of sets of potential beam coefficients is reduced to the number of sets of available beam coefficients, and the beam coefficients are determined at least in part on the set of potential beam coefficients.

[0094] In some cases, a second set of antennas is placed in satellite orbit.

[0095] In some cases, a second preamble is detected using the discovery beam, and the presence of a second terminal is determined within the discovery area, at least in part, based on the fact that the second preamble is detected using the discovery beam.

[0096] In some examples, a second preamble is formed by a third set of antennas in an antenna array and detected using a second discovery beam that includes a second discovery area within a geographical area, and the presence of a second terminal is determined to be within the second discovery area, at least in part, based on the fact that the second preamble is detected using the second discovery beam.

[0097] In some examples, the device may include features, circuits, logic, means or instructions for processing a plurality of second signals detected in a third set of antennas according to a second beam coefficient in order to obtain a second beam signal of a second communication beam, wherein the second communication beam includes a second beam coverage area in the discovery area including the location of the second terminal in the discovery area, and each detected signal of the plurality of second signals detected in the second set of antennas includes the respective components of the second communication signal transmitted by the second terminal.

[0098] In some examples, the apparatus may include features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for determining a second beam coefficient based at least partially on the position of the second terminal.

[0099] In some examples, the third set of antennas and the second set of antennas are at least partially overlapping sets.

[0100] In some cases, a second preamble is detected using the discovery beam, and the presence of a second terminal is determined within the discovery area, at least in part, based on the fact that the second preamble is detected using the discovery beam.

[0101] In some examples, a second preamble is formed by a fourth set of antennas in an antenna array and detected using a second discovery beam that includes a second discovery area within a geographical area, and the presence of a second terminal is determined to be within the second discovery area, at least in part, based on the fact that the second preamble is detected using the second discovery beam.

[0102] In some examples, the device may include features, circuits, logic, means or instructions for detecting a plurality of preambles transmitted from a plurality of terminals, where the plurality of preambles include a preamble and the plurality of terminals include a terminal; determining the presence of a plurality of terminals in a plurality of discovery areas, including a discovery area; and processing a plurality of signals detected in a plurality of antenna sets according to a plurality of beam coefficients in order to obtain a plurality of beam signals of a plurality of communication beams, including a communication beam, at least in part based on determining the presence of a plurality of terminals in a plurality of discovery areas.

[0103] In some examples, processing multiple signals according to a beam coefficient may involve temporally aligning the beginnings of multiple components of a communication signal based at least partially on the beam coefficient, and including aligning based at least partially on the position of the terminal and the position of a second set of antennas, and adding the multiple components of the communication signal based at least partially on the aligning.

[0104] In some cases, the beam coverage area is smaller than the discovery area, at least in part, based on the fact that the number of antennas in the second set is greater than the number of antennas in the corresponding first set.

[0105] In some cases, the diameter of the discovery area is less than 150 kilometers, and the diameter of the beam coverage area is less than 20 kilometers.

[0106] In some examples, the terminal is a first terminal, and the device may include features, circuits, logic, means or instructions for forming multiple communication beams within a geographic area using a third set of antennas before detecting a preamble, wherein the third set of antennas includes a corresponding first set of antennas, and for receiving a second signal including a preamble transmitted from the first terminal and a second communication signal transmitted from the second terminal, the first set of antennas receiving the preamble via a discovery beam and the third set of antennas receiving the second communication signal via a second communication beam.

[0107] In some examples, the apparatus may include features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for applying a beam coefficient to a second communication signal containing data to a terminal in order to acquire a second beam signal containing data, and transmitting a set of signals used to form the second beam signal from a second set of antennas to the terminal, using a second communication beam that is at least partially based on the communication beam.

[0108] In some examples, multiple components of a communication signal are processed using analog beamforming techniques, digital beamforming techniques, or a combination thereof.

[0109] In some examples, the second set of antennas includes the corresponding first set of antennas.

[0110] In some examples, the corresponding sets of antennas for multiple discovery beams are scattered.

[0111] In some examples, the corresponding sets of antennas for multiple discovery beams are scattered.

[0112] In some examples, each corresponding set of antennas in an antenna array contains multiple antenna elements uniformly distributed across the antenna panel.

[0113] In some examples, the spacing between antenna elements in an antenna array is greater than the distance corresponding to the wavelength of the signal being communicated using the antenna array.

[0114] In some examples, the spacing between antenna elements in an antenna array is greater than the distance equivalent to 10 wavelengths of the signal being communicated using the antenna array.

[0115] In some examples, the systems described herein may perform one or more methods, such as method 600. The system is a communication network comprising a beam manager configured to form a plurality of discovery beams within a geographic area by an antenna array, wherein each of the plurality of discovery beams is formed by a corresponding set of antennas of the antenna array, and the inter-element spacing of the antennas of the antenna array differs across the antenna array; and a signal detector configured to detect a preamble transmitted from a terminal using a discovery beam among the plurality of discovery beams, wherein the discovery beam is formed at least partially on a first set of corresponding antennas of the antenna array, and the signal detector includes a discovery area within a geographic area. The system comprises an output device and a positioning component configured to determine the presence of a terminal in a discovery area, at least in part on detecting a preamble, wherein the beam manager is further configured to process a plurality of signals detected in a second set of antennas of an antenna array according to beam coefficients in order to acquire a beam signal of a communication beam, wherein the communication beam includes a beam coverage area in the discovery area including the location of a terminal in the discovery area, and each detected signal of the plurality of signals detected in the second set of antennas includes the respective components of a communication signal transmitted by the terminal. The number of antennas in the second set is greater than the number of antennas in the corresponding first set.

[0116] In some examples of the system, the positioning component is further configured to determine the terminal's location within a geographic area based at least partially on the preamble, and the beam manager is further configured to determine the beam coefficient based at least partially on the terminal's location.

[0117] In some examples of the system, a beam manager is further configured to adjust the beam coverage area of ​​a communication beam, and a signal detector is further configured to determine multiple signal intensities of the beam signal, at least in part, based on adjusting the beam coverage area of ​​the communication beam, and the terminal position is determined, at least in part, based on being at the center of the beam coverage area, when one of the signal intensities meets a threshold.

[0118] In some examples of the system, the positioning component is further configured to determine the positions of a second set of antennas, and the beam manager is further configured to determine the beam coefficient based at least partially on the positions of the second set of antennas.

[0119] In some examples of the system, the terminal is the first terminal, and the communication signal is the first communication signal. The signal detector is further configured to detect a second preamble transmitted from a second terminal, The positioning component is further configured to determine the presence of a second terminal, at least in part on detecting a second preamble, and the communication network further comprises a MIMO component configured to process a second plurality of signals detected in a second set of antennas according to a beam coefficient in order to acquire a second beam signal of a second communication beam, at least in part on determining the presence of a second terminal in a discovery area, wherein the second communication beam includes a second beam coverage area in the discovery area which includes the location of the second terminal in the discovery area, and each detected signal of the second plurality of signals detected in the second set of antennas includes each component of a second communication signal transmitted by the second terminal.

[0120] In some examples of the system, the signal detector is further configured to receive a first set of channel sounding probes from a first terminal and a second set of channel sounding probes from a second terminal, and the MIMO component is further configured to determine an estimated channel between the first terminal, the second terminal and the second set of antennas, at least in part on the first set of channel sounding probes and the second set of channel sounding probes, and to determine a beam coefficient at least in part on the estimated channel.

[0121] In some examples of the system, a geometric component is configured to determine the geometric relationship between a terminal and a second set of antennas, and a MIMO component is further configured to determine a set of potential beam coefficients based at least partially on the geometric relationship between the terminal and the second set of antennas, the number of sets of potential beam coefficients is reduced relative to the number of sets of available beam coefficients, and the beam coefficient is determined at least partially on the set of potential beam coefficients.

[0122] In some examples of the system, the geometric components are further configured to determine a second beam coefficient based at least partially on the position of the second terminal.

[0123] These methods illustrate examples of implementations, and it should be noted that the operations and steps may be reconfigured or otherwise modified to allow for other implementations. In some examples, embodiments from two or more methods can be combined. For example, each embodiment of a method may include steps or embodiments of other methods, or other steps or techniques described herein.

[0124] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of the various different techniques and technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout this description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0125] The various exemplary blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be realized or run by a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, separate gate or transistor logic, separate hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other combination of such configurations).

[0126] The functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, depending on the nature of the software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. The features implementing the functions may also be physically arranged in various locations, including being distributed so that some of the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

[0127] Computer-readable media include both non-temporary computer storage media and communication media, which include any media that facilitate the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. Non-temporary storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. Examples, but not limited to, non-temporary computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk read-only memory (CDROM) or other optical disk storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-temporary media that can be used to execute or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures, and can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer or a general-purpose or dedicated processor. Any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, or microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, or microwave are included in the definition of media. As used herein, disks and discs include CDs, laserdiscs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically using a laser. Combinations of the above are also included in the scope of computer-readable media.

[0128] When used herein, including in the claims, "or" in a list of items (for example, a list of items beginning with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, and as a result, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, when used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as referring to an exclusive set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, when used herein, the phrase "based on" shall be construed in the same way as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0129] In the attached drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Furthermore, various components of the same type can be distinguished by adding a dash after the reference label and adding a second label to differentiate similar components. Where only the first reference label is used herein, its description is applicable to any similar component having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label or any other subsequent reference labels.

[0130] The descriptions herein, in relation to the accompanying drawings, describe exemplary configurations and do not represent all examples that may be implemented or that fall within the claims. The term “exemplary” as used herein means “serving as an example, illustration, or representation,” and does not mean “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” Detailed descriptions include specific details intended to provide an understanding of the described art. However, these arts can be implemented without these specific details. In some examples, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0131] The description herein is provided so that those skilled in the art can construct or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other modifications without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be given the broadest scope that is consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for communication, An antenna array (105) implemented on one or more satellites forms multiple discovery beams (119) within a geographic area (150), wherein each of the multiple discovery beams (119) is formed by a corresponding antenna subarray (115) of the antenna array (105), the antenna subarrays (115) of the antenna array (105) are deployed in space orbit, each antenna subarray (115) of the antenna subarray (105) includes a set of evenly distributed antennas, and the distance between adjacent antenna subarrays (115) of the antenna array (105) differs across the antenna array (105). Using a first discovery beam (119) of the plurality of discovery beams (119), a first preamble (118) transmitted from a first terminal (120) is detected, wherein the first discovery beam (119) is formed using a first antenna subarray (115) of the antenna array (105) and includes a first discovery area (155) within the geographic area (150). The second discovery beam (119) of the plurality of discovery beams (119) is used to detect a second preamble (118) transmitted from a second terminal (120), wherein the second discovery beam (119) is formed using a second antenna subarray (115) of the antenna array (105) and includes a second discovery area (155) within the geographic area (150). The method involves determining whether the first terminal (120) is located within the first discovery area (155) based at least partially on detecting the first preamble (118), and determining whether the second terminal (120) is located within the second discovery area (155) based at least partially on detecting the second preamble (118), A method for communication comprising processing a plurality of signals (335, 435) transmitted from the first terminal (120) and detected in the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) according to a beam coefficient, in order to acquire beam signals (375, 475) of a communication beam (117), at least in part on the determination that the first terminal (120) is located within the first discovery area (155), wherein the communication beam (117) includes the location of the first terminal (120) within the first discovery area (155). A method comprising a beam coverage area (160) within a first discovery area (155), wherein each detected signal (335, 435) of the plurality of signals (335, 435) comprises each component of a communication signal transmitted by the first terminal (120), and the number of antennas distributed across the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) for detecting the plurality of signals (335, 435) is greater than the number of antennas in the first antenna subarray (115) used to form the first discovery beam (119).

2. The location of the first terminal (120) within the geographic area (150) is determined at least in part based on the first preamble (118), The beam coefficient is determined based at least partially on the position of the first terminal (120), The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the position of the first terminal (120) is determined at least in part based on positioning information of the first terminal (120) included in the first preamble (118).

4. Adjusting the beam coverage area (160) of the communication beam (117), The method further includes determining a plurality of signal intensities of the beam signals (375, 475) at least in part on adjusting the beam coverage area (160) of the communication beam (117), wherein the position of the first terminal (120) is determined at least in part on the center of the beam coverage area (160) when one of the plurality of signal intensities satisfies a threshold. The method according to claim 2.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first preamble (118) includes a first portion which includes a repetition of a waveform used to indicate the presence of the first terminal (120).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first preamble (118) includes a second portion that includes positioning information of the first terminal (120).

7. The position of the antennas distributed across the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) for detecting the plurality of signals (335, 435) is determined. The beam coefficient is determined based at least partially on the positions of the antennas distributed across the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115), The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

8. The aforementioned communication signal is a first communication signal, and the method is Based at least in part on the determination that the second terminal (120) is located within the second discovery area (155), the process includes processing a plurality of second signals (435) transmitted from the second terminal and detected in the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) according to the beam coefficient in order to obtain a second beam signal (475) of the second communication beam (117), The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second communication beam (117) includes a second beam coverage area (160) within the second discovery area (155) including the location of the second terminal (120) within the second discovery area (155), and each detected signal (435) of the second plurality of signals (435) includes each component of the second communication signal transmitted by the second terminal (120).

9. The first set of channel sounding probes is received from the first terminal (120), and the second set of channel sounding probes is received from the second terminal (120), Based at least partially on the first set of channel sounding probes and the second set of channel sounding probes, the estimated channel between the first terminal (120), the second terminal (120), the first antenna subarray (115), and the second antenna subarray is determined. Determining the beam coefficient based at least partially on the estimated channel, The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

10. The geometric relationship between the first terminal (120) and the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) is determined. The method further includes determining a set of potential beam coefficients based at least in part on the geometric relationship between the first terminal (120) and the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115), wherein the number of sets of potential beam coefficients is reduced to the number of sets of available beam coefficients, and the beam coefficient is determined at least in part on the set of potential beam coefficients. The method according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned communication signal is a first communication signal, and the method is Using the first discovery beam (119), the third preamble (118) transmitted from the third terminal (120) is detected, Determining whether the third terminal (120) is located within the first discovery area is at least partially based on detecting the third preamble (118), The method further includes, at least in part, determining that the third terminal (120) is located within the first discovery area (155), and processing a plurality of second signals (340) transmitted from the third terminal (120) and detected in the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) according to a second beam coefficient, in order to obtain a second beam signal (375) of the second communication beam (117), The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second communication beam (117) includes a second beam coverage area (160) within the first discovery area (155) including the location of the third terminal (120) within the first discovery area (155), and each detected signal (340) of the second plurality of signals (340) includes each component of the second communication signal transmitted by the third terminal (120).

12. The system detects multiple preambles (118) transmitted from multiple terminals (120), provided that the multiple preambles (118) include the first preamble (118) and the second preamble (118), and the multiple terminals (120) include the first terminal (120) and the second terminal (120). To determine whether the plurality of terminals (120) exist within a plurality of discovery areas (155), including the first discovery area (155) and the second discovery area (155), Based at least in part on the determination that the plurality of terminals (120) are present within the plurality of discovery areas (155), the plurality of beam signals (375, 475) of the plurality of communication beams (117), including the communication beam (117), are processed according to a plurality of beam coefficients, and the plurality of signals (335, 340, 435) detected in a plurality of sets of antenna subarrays (115) are processed according to a plurality of beam coefficients. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising:

13. Processing the plurality of signals (335, 435) according to the beam coefficient is: The leading edge of the multiple components of the communication signal is temporally aligned based at least in part on the beam coefficient, wherein the beam coefficient is at least in part on the position of the first terminal (120) and the positions of the antennas distributed across the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) that detect the multiple signals (335, 435). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising adding the plurality of components of the communication signal based at least in part on the aforementioned alignment.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the beam coverage area (160) is smaller than the first discovery area (155), at least on the basis that the number of antennas distributed across the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) is greater than the number of antennas in the first antenna subarray (115) used to form the first discovery beam (119).

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the diameter of the first discovery area (155) is less than 150 kilometers, the diameter of the beam coverage area (160) is less than 20 kilometers, and the circumference of the first discovery area is greater than 50 kilometers.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the plurality of components of the communication signal are processed using analog beamforming techniques, digital beamforming techniques, or a combination thereof.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the spacing between elements of the antenna subarray (115) of the antenna array (105) is greater than the distance corresponding to the wavelength of the signal communicated using the antenna array (105).

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the inter-element spacing of the antenna sub-array (115) of the antenna array (105) is greater than a distance corresponding to 10 wavelengths of the signal communicated using the antenna array (105).

19. A communication network (200), A beam manager (220) configured to form multiple discovery beams (119) within a geographic area (150) using antenna arrays (105) implemented on one or more satellites, wherein each discovery beam (119) of the multiple discovery beams (119) is formed by a corresponding antenna subarray (115) of the antenna array (105), the antenna subarrays (115) of the antenna array (105) are deployed in space orbit, each antenna subarray (115) of the antenna subarray (105) includes a set of evenly distributed antennas, and the distance between adjacent antenna subarrays (115) of the antenna array (105) differs across the antenna array (105), A signal detector (240), A first discovery beam (119) of the plurality of discovery beams (119) is used to detect a first preamble (118) transmitted from a first terminal (120), wherein the first discovery beam (119) is formed using a first antenna subarray (115) of the antenna array (105) and includes a first discovery area (155) within the geographic area (150). A signal detector configured to detect a second preamble (118) transmitted from a second terminal (120) using a second discovery beam (119) of the plurality of discovery beams (119), wherein the second discovery beam (119) is formed using a second antenna subarray (115) of the antenna array (105) and includes a second discovery area (155) within the geographic area (150). The system includes a positioning component (245) configured to determine whether the first terminal (120) is located within the first discovery area (155) based at least partially on detecting the first preamble (118), and to determine whether the second terminal (120) is located within the second discovery area (155) based at least partially on detecting the second preamble (118), The beam manager (220) is further configured to process a plurality of signals (335, 435) transmitted from the first terminal (120) and detected in the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) according to a beam coefficient, in order to acquire beam signals (375, 475) of the communication beam (117), at least in part based on the determination that the first terminal (120) is located within the first discovery area (155), the communication beam (117) includes the location of the first terminal (120) within the first discovery area (155). The first discovery area (155) includes a beam coverage area (160), and each detected signal (335, 435) of the plurality of signals (335, 435) includes each component of the communication signal transmitted by the first terminal (120). A communication network in which the number of antennas distributed across the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) for detecting the plurality of signals (335, 435) is greater than the number of antennas in the first antenna subarray (115) used to form the first discovery beam (119).

20. The positioning component (245) is further configured to determine the location of the first terminal (120) within the geographic area (150) based at least in part on the first preamble (118), The beam manager (220) is further configured to determine the beam coefficient based at least partially on the position of the first terminal (120). The communication network (200) according to claim 19.

21. The beam manager (220) is further configured to adjust the beam coverage area (160) of the communication beam (117), The signal detector is further configured to determine a plurality of signal intensities of the beam signals (375, 475) at least partially on the basis of adjusting the beam coverage area (160) of the communication beam (117), and when one of the plurality of signal intensities satisfies a threshold, the position of the first terminal (120) is determined at least partially on the basis of being at the center of the beam coverage area (160). The communication network (200) according to claim 20.

22. The positioning component (245) is further configured to determine the positions of antennas distributed across the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) that detect the plurality of signals (335, 435), The beam manager (220) is further configured to determine the beam coefficient based at least partially on the positions of the antennas distributed across the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115). A communication network (200) according to any one of claims 19 to 21.

23. The aforementioned communication signal is a first communication signal, and the communication network (200) is A communication network (200) according to any one of claims 19 to 22, further comprising a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) component configured to process a plurality of second signals (435) transmitted from the second terminal and detected in the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) according to the beam coefficient, in order to acquire a second beam signal (475) of a second communication beam (117) at least in part on the determination that the second terminal (120) is located within the second discovery area (155), wherein the second communication beam (117) includes a second beam coverage area (160) within the second discovery area (155) including the location of the second terminal (120) within the second discovery area (155), and each detected signal (435) of the plurality of second signals (435) includes each component of the second communication signal transmitted by the second terminal (120).

24. The signal detector (240) is further configured to receive a first set of channel sounding probes from the first terminal (120) and a second set of channel sounding probes from the second terminal (120). The MIMO component (230) is Based at least partially on the first set of channel sounding probes and the second set of channel sounding probes, the estimated channel between the first terminal (120), the second terminal (120), the first antenna subarray (115), and the second antenna subarray (115) is determined. The communication network (200) according to claim 23, further configured to determine the beam coefficient based at least partially on the estimated channel.

25. The system further comprises a geometric component (225) configured to determine the geometric relationship between the first terminal (120) and the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115), The MIMO component (230) is further configured to determine a set of potential beam coefficients based at least in part on the geometric relationship between the first terminal (120) and the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115), wherein the number of sets of potential beam coefficients is reduced relative to the number of sets of available beam coefficients, and the beam coefficient is determined at least in part on the set of potential beam coefficients. The communication network (200) according to claim 24.

26. The aforementioned communication signal is a first communication signal, The signal detector (240) is further configured to use the first discovery beam (119) to detect a third preamble (118) transmitted from a third terminal (120), The positioning component (245) is further configured to determine whether the third terminal (120) is located within the first discovery area, at least in part on detecting the third preamble (118), and the communication network (200) is The system further comprises a geometric component (225) configured to process a plurality of second signals (340) transmitted from the third terminal (120) and detected in the first antenna subarray (115) and the second antenna subarray (115) according to a second beam coefficient, in order to acquire a second beam signal (375) of a second communication beam (117), at least in part on determining that the third terminal (120) is located within the first discovery area (155), wherein the second communication beam (117) includes a second beam coverage area (160) within the first discovery area (155) including the location of the third terminal (120) within the first discovery area (155), and each detected signal (340) of the plurality of second signals (340) includes each component of the second communication signal transmitted by the third terminal (120). A communication network (200) according to any one of claims 19 to 22.

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